MOTHERWELL turned in what was surely their best performance in years to stun Rangers at Ibrox tonight in the Premiership play-off first-leg.

Disciplined in defence and blistering on the counter-attack, Well are firmly in control of the tie after blowing the Bookies' pre-match odds to smithereens.

Sunday's second-leg at Fir Park is still to be played, but it will take an incredible effort from Rangers to relegate Motherwell to the Championship now.

In front of what was a quite-deafening atmosphere, the two sides fashioned out some half-chances in the opening minutes of the tie.

Marius Zaliukas could have done better for the home side when he got his head on the end of a Nicky Law corner but his effort was wide before Well raced to the other end and Marvin Johnson's cross from the left looked to be finding Lee Erwin for a tap-in but Gers 'keeper Cammy Bell intercepted.

Kenny Miller then showed he's still got some of his old magic for Rangers as he picked the ball up in midfield and evaded challenges from Stephen Pearson and Keith Lasley before unleashing a terrific 25-yard shot which slipped just wide of the target.

A mix-up in the Well defence then saw the ball break to Nicky Law just inside the penalty area, but his first-time shot was beaten away as Rangers looked to ramp-up the pressure in the opening minutes.

But out of nowhere, it was Motherwell who took the lead.

Lee Erwin twisted and turned Marius Zaliukas before the striker got his shot away and as Darren McGregor stuck out a leg to block, his deflection took it away from the despairing Cammy Bell in the Rangers goal.

From then-on in the first half, the tables were turned with the earlier-composed Rangers looking nervous and Motherwell at last taking more control of the match.

And they made it 2-0 five minutes before the interval through Stephen McManus.

A Johnson free-kick out on the right wing was met by the former Celtic captain and he bulleted a header past Bell to send the 950 Motherwell fans into raptures.

Into the second half, and Rangers immediately looked to get bodies forward as they attempted to find a way back into the match.

But they were caught in possession upfield, and after a move broke down, the ball fell to Stephen Pearson who strode forward on the counter-attack before spraying the ball to Erwin who in turn found Lionel Ainsworth in space to fire beyond Bell to make an already terrific lead a quite incredible one of 3-0.

Rangers were stunned, but they very nearly had a goal back within seconds of the restart.

Stuart McCall's side won a throw-in deep inside their own half, and as the Well defence were napping, Harris Vuckic nipped-in and only the gloves of George Long denied him from reducing the deficit.

Lionel Ainsworth could have wrapped the tie up for Well when he met a Johnson cross on the penalty spot, but under no pressure whatsoever, he contrived to fire over the bar.

George Long then had to be at his very best to deny substitute Kris Boyd at the back post with a stunning block after the big striker got his head on a Richard Foster cross.

The home side continued to prove to try and find a way back into the tie, but corner-kick after corner-kick seemed to pass with Well never under any real pressure.

That was until eight minutes from time when Nicky Law's delivery found the head of Darren McGregor to hand Rangers a lifeline going into Sunday's second leg.